SOCW610A Introduction to California Law & Ethics for Clinical Social Work
This course introduces students to laws and ethical standards relevant to clinical social work practice in California. The objective of the course is to prepare students for their generalist field experience and build a knowledge base and critical thinking skills that support legal and ethical clinical social work practice. Students will learn about confidentiality, HIPPA requirements and standards, informed consent, treatment of minors with and without consent, scope of practice, counselor-client privilege, unprofessional conduct and negligence, maintaining the standard of care and avoiding liability, telehealth regulations, ethical considerations for using clinical supervision, and ethical standards that guide the profession in the National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics. Students will gain an overview of professional practice issues and build their ability to identify and apply relevant laws and ethical standards. Students will also learn about the process for becoming licensed as clinical social workers in California.